JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Can't Think of Any Reason to Write Another Song

I've got to that point in my life where I can't think of ONE reason write another song.
I've been writing songs FOREVER and I'm just tired. I think of ideas and I get Melodies but
every time I think of starting the process to get it all created a little voice in my head says
ENOUGH Barry go try something else. SO I think I've written and recorded my last song.
I don't think its a sad thought as I've done some great work over the years and have written songs
about My life and Life in General. I'm proud of the work I've done and have over 400 songs at my
Barry Butler youtube site.

Am I the only one who feels this way?
Maybe it's my age (be 72 on July 17th ) ...Maybe it's being sick or maybe I've just run out of gas both
physically and mentally. I spend most of my time on a few Lymphoma Support Sites on facebook
helping others with my knowledge and moral support....I even have a facebook page called
My Cancer Journey and MORE (Things I've Learned ALSO)

SO there it is....Barry

Barry, I don't know what your goals are with music, but I write because I feel compelled to, I have to, or else I'd explode. Sure, it would be nice to get recognition for it, but that's not my goal. I enjoy doing it. It's like a puzzle and all I have to do is choose the right pieces and put them in the right place and then...voila! I've created something that no one else in the world can create. Something unique to me. When it's no longer fun or doesn't bring me satisfaction, I'll stop doing it. So, if you no longer enjoy writing, if it isn't fun anymore, then you should quit, because life is too short to do something you don't want to do. Find something that does bring you joy, or, as they say, follow your bliss, wherever it may lead you.

Ricki

Hi Barry & Ricki:

We've all been there... when old man Gloom taps us on the shoulder and encourages us to give up what inspires us... and hopefully, others. It never hurts to pause for a short time, rebuild your inner strength, gather ideas when they appear, and once your batteries are "re-charged"... get back on the band-wagon... write that instant, viral hit... sing your heart out... convey an idea that just might save humanity. You are never really alone.

Then there is the other story. Sometimes we need to give up something we love doing because it may be impacting others in our lives to the point of distraction. My better half would be overjoyed if I could muster the strength to give up songwriting. She does not understand my infatuation with writing songs and the desire to share them. As Ricki implies, "It isn't about fame or fortune." It is the inner satisfaction that comes with creating something.

If it truly is no longer an enjoyable thing for you... do what you must... but I hope you will consider my first offer, give it a brief rest... and come back stronger than ever.

----Dave

Barry,

First of all, you should know, that aside from the "I've got these songs and now what do I do with them..?" emotion, the most common emotion among writers, artists, authors, painters, poets is "I've created my last thing because I see no point (have no energy, can't make any sense of it all...) etc." That is very normal. You should have been in Nashville around Sept. 12, 2001. You have never seen an ENTIRE INDUSTRY, every songwriter, singer, musician, etc. wondering WHAT THE HELL ARE WE EVEN DOING?
And that went on for a while. No one really knew what to do or why we were doing it. When I stood on a stage in FRENCH LICK INDIANA on Friday, Sept. 15th, and played "GOD BLESS THE USA" and got a standing ovation from the crowd, I realized why I did what I did. The next day I wrote my own song, "AMERICA 9-11."

We do what we do for the love of it. Yes, I wrote that in a song called TABLES AND CHAIRS, which sums up what were are all about. Mostly it's because we can't NOT do it. But far too many of us get wrapped up in the business aspect, trying to get what we do OUT THERE, and we often lose sight of why we start doing this in the first place.;
TO EXPRESS OURSELVES.

It's very simple. We are trying to SHARE WHAT IS INSIDE OF US WITH AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE CAN.

But sometimes life gets in the way. Jobs, kids, careers, paying bills, loves, losses, etc. all get in there and often we just feel like "what's the point and why am I even doing this?" That is what you are going through. You are struggling with health and life issues and need to give yourself a break and not worry about it. Usually there will be a point where we just sort of wake up and naturally go back to writing, and wondering what we were even concerned about. We find inspiration and ideas all around us and maybe you just need to refill the reservoir.

Or you might not. I routinely hang out with several of the "old guys", hit writers from bygone eras. 50's, 60's 70's hit makers who in their day were at the top of the charts and top of the heap. Many of them simply don't write any more because they have transitioned on to other things. People do lose interest in it. Again, very normal. As we age, our tastes and interests change. Some people are far more interested in having their grandchildren sit on their knees than having a guitar on there.

So don't worry about it; It may come back, it may not. At any rate, enjoy what you have done and reflect upon people you have touched along the way. That is the real deal.

I will tell you this. On Tuesday of this past week, I lost my Mother. She died after a battle with Cancer and Kidney Disease and was 89 years old. She lived a great life and of course I have a couple of songs about her. Friday night I was performing on a very high profile songwriters concert at the Von Braun Civic Center amphitheater in Huntsville Alabama. This show was interesting because all us writers, were writing and talking about our parents passing, and doing the songs that were inspired by them. In one, Jimbeau Hinson, did SETTING FANCY FREE, his hit by the OAK RIDGE BOYS, that was his first number one hit.
He did his, and next I did one of mine called "THE BEGINNING" which was actually about my Dad but fits both my parents.

During the break, selling CD's, a guy came up to me that had actually attended a couple of workshops I did years ago in Savanna Ga. He told me about several songs of his that I had inspired by my own. It helped him process the deaths of his parents as well as some friends of his. And that is the key, self therapy. I've listened to a couple of his songs and he did a very good job. So me going through my own catharsis, helped him with his.

THAT IS WHY I WRITE SONGS.

I hope you get your mojo back and write again, but if You don't I understand. But just remember,

YOU DON'T CHOOSE MUSIC, MUSIC CHOOSES YOU.

Yeah I wrote that too. That's why I do what I do.

Hope you are well.

MAB

My wife doesn't mind what I do BUT Doesn't understand IT OR ME...lol

I'm 68, hope that doesn't happen to me in 4 years. Music gives my life a purpose. "Purpose" is the most essential ingredient for living. Can’t envision a life without purpose. So if you give up writing, find another purpose of equal gratification (maybe painting, sculpturing, gardening).

One thing I think about is the “box” composers are trapped in – the same 12 half-tones (and their octaves). Rearranging these to create something new is challenging. At least lyrical songs add a dimension of words that expand the possibilities. Though that is also limited to useable words.

Bottom-line… probably best not to fret on this subject. If writing is an enjoyable activity and gives you purpose, then just do it!

Best, John

72 Barry? It's just a mid life crisis.
One day soon you'll have a good idea and you'll be off again.

Vic

You're right; perhaps it's best if you assume the fetal position and die......NOT!
No, the fact that you even pose the question suggests it's not in your future. It's hard right? I get it. Don't make it harder by putting yourself through these quandaries. How about go with the flow? You can't stop the music; when it says now! You have to "NOW"
Way it is.
Best of luck, sincerely,
Mike

Thanks....I'm going to spend the limited amount I have here on the planet and market and promote the songs I've already Written.

Marc, sorry for your loss. I lost my Mother years ago and my Father years before that, I also lost a Brother to cancer. It never gets any easier, but knowing they were ready to go spiritually makes it a bit easier. I've written several funeral songs, each one came to me while attending a funeral service.

I've tried to quit writing several times, but that is when the ideas seem to come more easily. If it is your gift from God and He gave you a purpose to use that gift, it makes it harder to quit. He gives me ideas to write, so I do my best to turn it into a song. Who knows.,down the road He may use that song to touch somebody to bring them to salvation or give them comfort. It has happened to me several times, and I could see the hand of God using something I wrote to touch someone.

I've long given up on making money with my songs, but I still obey my God given urge to write. I'll leave it up to Him to use them how He sees fit.

Existential crisis, it could be called. Basically, my default position. I write more often in despite of, rather than because of. Does that work? Well how the h*** are we supposed to know.

Do it because it's fun. or a release. If it is neither, take a break until it is again. Often that will happen, but sometimes people do reach a point where they have nothing more to say, or the process is more painful than fun.

Barry--

I'm seven years older than you, and have passed through the wanna quit writing, several times. Songwriting is a skill and an art, as well as , a business. I've always had something to fall back on, when I slow down writing. I never tried to make it a business!

Later on you will get the urge to write something that is important enough to spend effort and time with! Then you will wonder why you stopped.

I think taking a break, stirs the senses, and makes room for new ideas to write about--TIME MOVES ON AND CHANGES OUR FOCUS AND INTENSITY!

You probably are just having a senior interlude, before you pen a great song. A little truth and three chords are all you need for a HIT, according to Harlan Howard!

A vacation always helps to clear the mind.

Mackie

Hey Barry,

Find a new girl or break up with the old one - or both. Nothing like romantic relationships to start the juices flowing.

Only joking Sandra - WHACK!

John

hey Barry I just made it back here, I had some trouble too..god I was so tired..but its whats in you like most have said here, wasn`t going to write anything else, but here I am...all best wishes for you...Lane

This thread and the comments here is one of the most emotionally piercing that I can recall anywhere. I guess it's my age...64.

IT is an Emotional thing. I still post all my songs on Barry Butler of Facebook and would love to have any of you guys friend me.
I'm posting all my emotional and inspiring songs and some about Jesus today.
I have a lot of fun with questions and articles about a lot of other stuff also.
SO come join me on facebook...Travis is there all the time...

Barry,

You should bring Terry here then!

Brian

I'm not sure who Terry Is.
I tell other Songwriters about JPF all the time but mostly I don't know others except from this site.
I love this site and others about a lot of my interests...